Adult Autism Assessment in NYC

ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder. It effects individuals differently based on their unique experiences, symptoms, and life context. These differences vary dramatically from person to person, so testing is essential to confirm a diagnosis, develop greater self-awareness, and find any beneficial support services that can make daily life a little easier.

As a neurodevelopmental disorder, ASD is often diagnosed in children. However, our knowledge of what ASD is and how it presents has grown exponentially over the last several decades. Many adults who display signs of neurodiversity may not have received a diagnosis earlier in life due to a lack of understanding of the myriad effects of ASD when they were children. Others, usually those who have milder symptoms, are not diagnosed as children, and they learn to mask the way that ASD affects them over time. Neurodevelopmental differences have very specific presentations in childhood, but adult symptoms can be more difficult to define. This is why assessment is so important.

Yes. In some cases, trauma, especially trauma that occurs during childhood, can create behaviors and experiences that closely resemble autism.

When someone has experienced ongoing trauma, particularly from caregivers or other important relationships, the nervous system often adapts to protect itself. This can lead to difficulties with social interaction, emotional regulation, trust, sensory sensitivity, or withdrawal, many of which can also be seen in autistic individuals.

Although these experiences can look similar on the surface, their underlying causes are different, which means the most effective treatments are different as well. A comprehensive autism evaluation looks carefully at your developmental history, current symptoms, and other possible explanations to determine whether autism, trauma, or another condition best explains what you're experiencing.

If you’re considering ASD testing, some of the most common ASD symptoms in adults include:

• Struggles with communication.

• Difficulty reading social cues.

• Struggling to understand your own or others’ emotions

• Failure to recognize tone in conversation (taking things too literally).

• Social anxiety.

• Trouble navigating changes in daily routine as well as larger life transitions.

• Inability to focus on subjects they don’t find interesting.

• Fixation on specific subjects of interest.

• Health concerns, including sleep disorders and stomach troubles.

In an age of self-diagnosis, you might wonder whether you truly need a comprehensive evaluation. There are several reasons why the answer is yes.

First, autism is sometimes obvious, but the symptoms are often more subtle than many expect. Second, although many qualities to autism are recognizable, like difficulties socializing, these symptoms are shared with many other, more common diagnoses, such as depression, ADHD, and anxiety.

Seeing a qualified professional for an evaluation can help you to feel confident knowing that your diagnosis was valid. Knowing the source for your symptoms is critical in pursuing the right support and treatment. For instance, sensory sensitivity is often experienced by people with autism and those with PTSD - but treatment and support for autism and PTSD is very different. By taking a holistic view of your mental health in a comprehensive evaluation, you can feel more confident that you are seeking the support that is right for you. 

An autism diagnosis can provide validation and a new perspective on experiences you've had throughout your life. Many adults describe finally understanding why certain situations have always felt more difficult and being able to replace years of self-criticism with greater self-awareness.

At Park West Psychology, a comprehensive autism evaluation doesn't simply end with a diagnosis. We also provide a differential diagnosis to identify any other conditions that may be contributing to your symptoms, along with personalized recommendations for treatment and support.

For many adults, next steps may include:

• Learning more about autism and how it affects daily life

• Understanding how autism has shaped past experiences and relationships

• Therapy to identify which challenges are related to autism and develop effective coping strategies

• Learning practical ways to manage sensory sensitivities

• Improving communication and relationships with others

• Addressing anxiety or other mental health concerns that often occur alongside autism

The goal isn't simply to tell you whether you have autism. It's to help you understand yourself more fully and provide a clear roadmap for moving forward.

I find it can be both easier and more difficult to assess ASD in adults. It’s easier because I can have a lengthy conversation with adults and dig deeper into symptoms and struggles that may indicate an ASD diagnosis. It’s more difficult because many adults have learned to disguise their symptoms to blend in the neurotypical world. You may hear this referred to as masking. The goal of ASD assessment in adults is to peel back that mask and truly see how the person engages with the world around them.

I accomplish this with a thorough, clinical assessment process. ASD assessment for adults starts with an intake session. We’ll go over family and personal health history, academic performance, professional performance, relationships, and a variety of other subjects that may expose signs of ASD. From there, I will often use rating scales administered to the client as well as a close friend, parent, or romantic partner. These scales ask the individual and their loved one to rate the severity of certain symptoms. I will also administer standardized tests to gauge intelligence, concentration, and a variety of other factors. Once testing is completed, we’ll meet for a final session to go through the results, and I’ll provide a full report of my findings.